The Mustangs fall to Los Altos

Varsity football lost 0-38 against undefeated Los Altos at home on Thursday, Oct. 30 on the Mustangs’ senior night. 

In the first quarter, despite the Mustangs offensive effort, the Los Altos Conquerors took an early lead with a fumble leading to a touchdown. With the Conquerors tight defense and offense the first quarter ended with a score of 0-7. 

During the second quarter, the Mustangs gained momentum pushing towards the endzone, but  an interception led to the Conquerors’ second touchdown. The Mustangs allowed an interception at the 32-yard line leading to a pass touchdown for the opposition. After the Conquerors’ kickoff to the Mustangs, the Mustangs drove the ball to the 33-yard line on their side. The Conquerors intercepted another pass at the 45-yard line bringing the ball closer to the endzone. Los Altos sank a nine-yard field goal to close out the second quarter, ending with a score of 0-17. 

According to left guard/sack senior Michael Reyes, motivation isn’t lost, despite the difficulties.

“I gave it my all, and I know a lot of the other seniors I did see try their best.” Reyes said. “It [Senior Night] felt surreal, It never felt like it was going to happen, but I felt like I did leave it all on the field that night”

The second half began as the Mustangs kicked off to the Conquerors. With 11 minutes to go, the opponents ran the ball to the 36-yard line. The Conquerors got a first down inside the Mustangs’ 20-yard line, leading to a pass touchdown for Los Altos. After some swift action from the opposing kicker, the score advanced to 0-24. 

“I feel our game was very sentimental despite the outcome of the game. It was like the closing to a book you never thought would end for our seniors,” junior Abel Marquez said. “I grew up with most of the senior football players so playing my last game with those people I’ve known for so long was very bittersweet.”

Then, the Mustang advanced the ball as much as possible but ultimately fell to the Conquerors’ defense forcing a punt. With just under five minutes to go, the Conquerors drove the ball all the way to the endzone, ending the third quarter with a rushing touchdown. Right as the clock was about to call the end of the third quarter, the Conquerors secured another touchdown after a fumble from the Mustangs, ending the third quarter 0-38. 

Tight end sophomore Brandon Zhang said, “Our entire team came into the game with the same mentality of playing our hearts out, especially for all our seniors. All of us underclassmen had our seniors in mind as they were reaching the end of the road of their football journey.”

The Mustangs continued through the final quarter, denying any further point progression from Los Altos, ending the game 0-38. 

Although it was a hard loss, many seniors were somber because of the fact that it would be their final game, as the Mustangs will not be advancing to CIF.